Tortured Hearts

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Tortured Hearts is the eighth in a series of EC-inspired comics following...

1. Epitaphs from the Abyss
2. Cruel Universe
3. Shiver SuspenStories
4. Cruel Kingdom
5. Blood Type
6. Catacomb of Torment
7. Outlaw Showdown

Just in time for Valentine's Day, stories include...

• "The Perfect Woman" - Yes, the ending is easy to predict (especially given the cover), but it's the journey, not the destination.
• "Dead and Buried" - I couldn't quite follow this one.
• "The Spark" - Sick.
• "A Pocket Full of Nails" - the most "socially relevant" story of the issue, about stalking.

This issue also includes a classic from Tales from the Crypt #38 (1953)...

• "Only Skin Deep" - "Held the soft wet covering in his hand, staring down at her. Her blood flooded out over the pillow. Her raw flesh quivered liverly. Her eyes glazed. Her sickly grinning mouth... now stripped of its flesh lips... ckoked out the words as his stomach heaved..." I don't think I've ever seen the word "liver" used as an adverb.